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Incident
Patrolman Ralph White was electrocuted when he came into contact with a downed power line near the intersection of Catawba Avenue and Statesville Avenue (modern day Main Street).
A strong storm had knocked out power to the town. The duties of Cornelius police officers also included restoring power to the town following storms. Patrolman White was attempting to restore the power when he came in contact with the line, which had been previously cut and left bare.
He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Patrolman White was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Patrolman White was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman White served with the Cornelius Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cornelius community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman White.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ralph is the only officer of Cornelius Police Department remembered here.
Ralph is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1942, 2 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1942, 65 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 65th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1942, 82 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 52nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ralph was 40. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35.
Ralph was 40. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Ralph was 40. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 10.2% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Thursdays: 15.6%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cornelius Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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